Apparatus for escape from submerged vessels



y 8, 1945. J. R. HARTNEIA'T 2,375,299

APPARATUS FOR ESCAPE FROM SUBMERGED VESSELS Filed May 19, '194s 4 Sheets-Sheet. 1

/ 1" Inventor Jae viz Rer? Harineil y 8, J. R. HARTNETT 2,375,299

APPARATUS FOR ESCAPE FROM SUBMERGED VESSELS Filed May 19, 1943 4 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor I y: WWWEM y 1945. J. R; HARTNETT APPARATUS FOR ESCAPE FROM SUBMERGED VESSELS Filed May 19, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 T m n E w I v m 5M N a M Q o E a om \M wu May 8 J. R. HARTNETT APPARATUS FOR ESCAPE FROM SUBMERGED VESSELS Filed May 19, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor Patented May 8, 194 5 OFFICE APPARATUS FOR ESCAPE FROM SUB- MERGED VESSELS Joseph Robert Hartnett, Gary, Ind.

Application May 19, 1943, Serial No. 487,648

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for rescuing persons imprisoned in a sunken vessel or more particularly from a vessel of the submarine type, which has been disabled in such a manner, that it is impossible for it to'rise to the surface of the sea, and that accordingly the imprisoned persons cannot be rescued, in which case they are left to die, as has already happened on many occasions.

With the knowledge that all submarines have what is called an air-tight or water-tight compartment, it is believed possible to furnish such compartment with a continuous supply of air for the men in the sunken submarine with the machine herein shown. It is possible to also release from the submarine each and every man in his turn and put him outside of the submarine to float to the top and save his life. If desired a man can be sent to the top and then returned to the inside of the sunken submarine without letting in one drop of water. Consider what this will mean to the Navy. If for instance one of the submarines is lying on the bottom of the ocean, then it would be possible to send a man up to the surface of the water as a lookout for enemy or friendly vessels and avoiding the necessity of bringing the submarine to the surface.

The main purpose of this machine however, is to save lives, therefore that particular phase will be first considered.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the drawings, and

Figure 1 shows an end view of a submerged submarine equipped with my life saving apparatus in action, that is to say, an escape tank has been released therefrom and risen to the surface of the sea.

Figure 2 is a horizontal partial section taken about midship of the vessel with the escape apparatus installed and ready for action.

Figure 3 is a vertical axial section of the apparatus taken along line 3- 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section along the line 44 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse section of the vessel taken just in front of the escape apparatus.

Like numerals indicate the same parts in the dilTerent views.

Reference numeral I indicates the hull of a vessel, in this case a submarine, with a conning tower I l and periscope I2 see particularly Figure 1 and in a suitable position a particular compartment has been set aside for the escape apparatus, said compartment or chamber I3 see Figures 2 and is confined between the deck l4 and floor I5 and bulkheads I6 and to which entrance may i be gained by a door IT. on the floor I5, and midway between the two sides of the vessel the escape apparatus, denoted in general by numeral I9 is mounted within a uide rail 20 ona ball race or circular track 20a so as to. be turnedthereon between the sides of the ship.

The apparatus consists of a cylindrical tube 2| of sufficient inside dimensions to conveniently house a man. This tube is secured at one end' on a revolving base'22 and supported at the other end to a box or pocket 35 by a connection or closure 23 similar to a fire hose connection. It is necessary to have this type of revolving base for the reason that the sunken ships or submarines come to rest on the bottom of the ocean in different positions. It may be resting on either one side or the other side or upright in its natural position. In any case the apparatus may be revolved on its track 20 to whatever side is clear of the ocean bottom. There is for thisreason a box or pocket 35 for the connection 23 for the tube 2| on both sides of the ship so that the apparatus will operate at any angle.-

The tube 2! and the plunger 24 therein are the most important parts of the whole apparatus see Figure 3. It consists of three parts having an upwardly open space which may be called a tub or cradle 24a, a front end 25 and a rear end 26. Of these the front portion 25' is composed of alternating steel rings 25a and rubber gaskets 2512 held together and to the middle portion 24 of the plunger by a hollow rod 21. The rear end portion 26 of the plunger is similarly composed of alternating steel rings 26a, rubber gaskets 26b and a hollow tie rod 28. This plunger 24 is similar to that used in water pumps. It differs only in that it has a tub 24a in between the forward plunger portion 25 and rear plunger portion 26. Thisplunger 24 slides along the axis of the tube 2I. A man enters the tube at an opening 29 over which a cover 30 is secured on the tube to close the entrance 29 to the cradle- 24a into which the man enters whereupon the cover is put back in place, so as to close the opening 29. The man is now ready to enter the water.

The plunger 24 may be sent forward in any number of ways, preferably, as here shown, by the gear and crank method as at 3|, as other means of pushing the plunger may fail mechanically. As the plunger is pushed forward through the opening in the side of the ship, the rear plunger portion moves forward taking the place of the forward portion to stop the entrance of water. The plunger 24 with the cradle 24a is now outside of the ship, Figure 1, and the minute the water enters the tube, the man in his Mundson or Davis lung is lifted out and into the ocean. Thereupon the plunger -2l is brought back into the ship. The cover 30 is removed to permit the second man to enter after the plunger has been retracted within the tube 2|.

In front of the plunger 24 is tobe seen a boxlike-formationi 3'5 fbnhousing of. arrair line lifebuoy 36, wh'i'chis kept inflated all thetime for instant use. For this purpose an air line 31 is provided running through the front hollow rod 21, with a suitable packing at itsreanend-am1--v through the rings 26a and 26b of the rear'endgof the plunger and on to a reel 50 which unwinds when the plunger and life-buoy are projected into the water to Heat up to the-surface. 1 This; air line is attached to the life-buoy 36 immediately before the tube 19 is fastened to the=side oftheship Avside opening .38, covered.- by. a lid. 39. is therefore provided. onopposite sides. of"the ship. The lid iszheld in positiorrby. bolts lfi'which can-be quickly released irominside the vesselby a half: turn, and; the lid-dropped off suspended on its chain'mar The member 38 when. risen. to. the. surface. as. shown -in 1l igure:1-- and. stayingmear the. tanle 43 will act inz-an emerge'ncmto rescuea personlconn ing out -of-the -tank in. the 3 event the. rescuing should-miscarry:in.any.manner..

Anothenreel 52,.Eigures3 andA, is placed i next to thefirstireel 512 and provided with. a: cable; 42' whiGh ru-ns. through the: hollow tie-rodl2'8. and connects a-t AB-with a-tanl 43; which. is housedv in :the tub or cradle=2 4a" of the .plunger in-. order. to be returnedr fromthe: surface; and; generally floating; close toT-the side of the life-buoy .36, see. Figure 1:; i This tank or container 43 is only usedfor carryinga man to the surface ofthe sea, when the dept-h is very great and the. consequent water pressure istoo 'high for a man to withstandh The. tank "43:? is: builtjlilse a spinning. top, painted. at: one end as at 4'6: where the cablefl is attached. It;has double wallsw as-at- 43dnfi116d with compressedair to-makeit buoyant. Thetank-isipreferably'madeot rubber or-ofrlightstrongmetal.

Thel tanle Wis provided with two. doors and lorthe base 22 so that it can be turned about a quarter turn around its axis in both directions from the center line of the vessel in order that entrance opening 29 may always be adjusted to be approximately horizontal in Whatever list the vessel may have on the bottom of the sea. This for the purpose of facilitating the entry into the cradle 24a of the person to be rescued. As here shown this is accomplished by releasing the clamp handle-53 see Figure 3 of the clamping band54by'means'of whichthetube I9 is secured on the base 22.

As shown in Figure 2, the entire apparatus may berswung-out-of firing position after releasing the: front end connection 23 from the box or pocket at the side of the ship. This is indicatedby'dot'and dash lines in said figure, where theaxis of' the-xtube is pointed longitudinally of the vessel in order to take up less space and per- 1 mit fi'ee passage fore and aft.

he=can be.pickedvup. by a rescue party- It would berbette to stay in theasubmarineuntil.- rescue 45i- Thadoorfl onxthe'upper side when-the tank--- r seaizthe tank wilL-turn sothat its blunt end with theiendrdoorfi. will be uppermost for an: easyexit. oil the man imprisonedtimthei tank. Both doors arela'daptedfbr lockingor opening: fromthe in-= side as welras from theoutside; 1

Bynieans of the cableAZ the-speed of ascent of the tub o'r tanki- 43 can be controlled. Said. cable isz'coverediwithirubber tozprotectitfrom the. effect of sea wa-ter, and 'itis' of circular cross section! and ls'easily attached or detached as at 46- to the pointed 'endofthe tank 43." Packing. as at 41- is provided'around the cable to=prevent water from entering the vessel, as is also the case with the air'hose 3 1 at the. rear end of the hollow rod 21'', FiguraB Side by side'- on the revoluble base or pedestal 22 are: mounted a pair of reels, one reel 52- for winding uptheair-line 3 1 by turning its crank handleffi, the other reelwith aacranlc handle 5t for the tanlscontrolcablell-zl l V The-tubeZ l of this apparatus i9 is mounted on isz'inspo'sitiom as' seenwjmFigurel for-a manvto;

comestwithta.continuousisupply of freshair and foodsupplies. But -if -'a-.-rescue:par ty issonhand;

he: climbs out;

.Aften the man; left. thetanlt 43.. the lid. 44. can be-elosed automatically by means of aspring.

As the-.tankdapulled down; it -is guided intaplaceby'means or? the cone; shaped receiver. end. at 45-.

of the= cradle-through which the cable passes andr theside: door: M of. thegescape. tank 43 is; opened for the next man to. enter" and. start his trip-.to: the-surface;.

It must be rememberedat all times, regardless onthe position of thesplunger, that no: more water comes-:in thertube: ISL-than .that whichzis-brought.

by? the-tub; which-is very little and is preventedirom spilling into thevessel by the: closed: lid 30'. This water will stay at the samelevel all thatimer.

Although axpreferred embodiment of the invention is set-.forthrand described herein andillustrated". on". the accompanying drawings, it is not intended to limit the application thereto, except: asrequiredby; the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having. describednthe-invention, what is'claimed asr'n'ew: iss:

I l Apparatus for escape from submerged vessel, comprising a base, a circular track'onthevessel forsaid: base, a tube'carriedv on said'base: for horizontal revolving with: said baseand clamping; means on; the" base permitting, leveling ad:- justment ot. said tube. around its axis, a box-like pocket formed on each side of the vessel one endof said tube being closed and. theother endopening intoeither-one of the pockets on the.

horizontal revolving with said base and clamping means on the base permitting leveling adjustment of said tube around its axis, one end of said tube being closed and the other end opening into a pocket on the side of the vessel with an outlet into the sea and an easily detachable lid .over said outlet; a plunger slidable in said tube and provided with a cradle portion for carrying an object, and propelling means for said plunger adapted for projecting said plunger through said outlet and depositing the object into the sea; such pocket and lid being provided on opposite sides of the vessel and a water-tight releasable connection between said open end of the tube and said pocket.

3. Apparatus for escape from submerged vessel, comprising a base, a circular track on the vessel for said base, a tube carried on said base for horizontal revolving with said base and clamping means on the base permitting leveling adjustment of said tube around its axis, one end of said tube being closed and the other end opening into a pocket on the side of the vessel with an outlet into the sea and an easily detachable lid over said outlet; a plunger slidable in said tube and provided with a cradle portion for carrying an object, and propelling means for said plunger adapted for projecting said plunger through said outlet and depositing the object into the sea; such pocket and lid being provided on opposite sides of the vessel and a water-tight releasable connection between said open end of the tube and said pocket, a door on said tube providing entry for said object into the cradle portion of the plunger, said door being adapted for watertight closing in order to prevent water from said for said base, a tube carried on said base for horizontal revolving with said base and clamping means on the base permitting leveling adjustment of said tube around its axis, one end of said tube being closed and the other end opening into a pocket on the side of the vessel with an outlet into the sea and an easily detachable lid over said outlet; a plunger slidable in said tube and provided with a cradle portion for carrying anobject, and propelling means for said plunger adapted for projecting said plunger through said outlet and depositing the object into the sea; a buoy deposited in said pocket, a water insulated air line for said buoy running, end to end, through said plunger and to which said buoy is attached to obtain compressed air, a reel secured on said base permitting unwinding of said air line when said buoy floats out from the pocket, and also winding up of the air line for redepositing the buoy in said pocket.

5. Apparatus for escape from submerged vessel, comprising a base, a circular track on the vessel for said base, a tube carried on said base for horizontal revolving with said base and-clamping means on the base permitting leveling adjustment of said tube around its axis, one end of said tube being closed and the other end opening into a pocket on the side of the vessel with an outlet into the sea and an easily detachable lid over said outlet; a plunger slidable in said tube and provided with a cradle portion for carrying an object, and propelling means for said .plunger adapted for projecting said plunger through said;

outlet and depositing the object into the sea; said object consisting of a tank of elongated shape with an interior space of a size to house a person and provided with a front end opening and a side opening for the entry and exit of such' person, and water-tight covers for said openings.

6. Apparatus for escape from submerged vessel, comprising a base, a'circular track on the vessel for said base, a tube carried on said base for horizonta1 revolving with said base and clamping means on the base permitting leveling adjustment of said tube around its axis, one end of said tube being closed and the other end opening into a pocket on the side of the vessel with an outlet into the sea and an easily detachable lid over said outlet; a plunger slidable in said tube and provided with a cradle portion for carrying an object, and propelling means for said plunger adapted for projecting said plunger through said outlet and depositing the object into the sea; said object consisting of a tank of elongated shape with an interior space of a size to house a person and provided With a front end opening and a side opening for the entry and exit of such person, and Water-tight covers for said openings, said object having double walls filled with compressed air. l

7. Apparatus for escape from submerged vessel, comprising a base, a circular track on the vessel for said base, a tube carried on said base for horizontal revolving with said base and clamping means on the base permitting leveling adjustment of said tube around its axis, one end of said tube being closed and the other end opening into a pocket on the side of the vessel with an outlet into the sea and an easily detachable lid over said outlet; a plunger slidable in said tube and provided with a cradle portion for carrying an object, and propelling means for said plunger adapted for projecting said plunger through said outlet and depositing the object into the sea; said object consisting of a tank of elongated shape with an interior space of a size to house a person and provided with a front end opening and 'a side opening for the entry and exit of such person, and water-tight covers for said openings, the rear end of said object being tapered to fit the corre spondingly shaped rear end of said plunger, a

control cable attached with one end to the tapered rear end of said object and housed centrally in the rear end of said plunger, a reel on said base for unwinding and winding of said controlling cable upon the running out of said object when the plunger is projected through said outlet, and said reel being also adapted for winding up the control cable when said plunger is retracted.

8. Apparatus for escape from submerged vessel, comprising a base, a circular track on the vessel for said base, a tube carried on said base for horizontal revolving with said base and clamping means on the base permitting leveling adjustment of said tube around its axis, one end of said tube being closed and the other end opening into a pocket on the side of the vessel with an outlet into the sea and an easily detachable lid over said outlet; a plunger slidable in said tube and provided with a cradle portion for carrying an object,

' and propelling means for said plunger adapted for projecting: said,- plunger throughi said outlet and depositing the object' into the: sea; such pocketand: lid; being. provided ion opposite sides of the vesselsand awater-tight releasable connection betweentsaid open end-of theitube and said'pocket, a dOUr-Omsaidtube providing entry-for said object into the cradle portion; of: the: plunger; said. door being adaptedz for'waterr-tight; closing in; order to preventzwater from said: cradle .p'ortionlto spilhinto the vesse1=,:a.1buoy deposited in'saidapocket, a water insulated; air line: forxsaid buoy running,v endtto end, throughi saidzplunger and 'tozwhich; said. buoy is"; attached; to. obtain compressed air; areel secured on said. base;permitting unwinding of said air-line when saidzbuoy floats out from the pocket, and: forwindingtup of theiair line. for redepositing the buoy-in;said pocket,.said:object having double.

walls filled with compressed; air.

9;- Apparatus for escape from submerged vessel,

comprisingla; base,. a circular: track on the. vesselvv .forsaidi base, a tubecarried on said baseforhorizontal. revolving with said. base and clamping means on the basepermittingleveling adjustment ofsaidatubearound itsaxis one' end oft said tube being closed, and the other endopening: into a pocket on. the side of the vesseLwith. an outlet into thesea and aneasily. detachable lid'rover. said outlet; a plunger slidable in said-tube'andprovidednwith acradleportion. for carrying an object, and propelling means for. said plunger adapted for: projecting: said: plunger: through said: outlet and depositing the-object into the sea; such:

pocket and lid being-provided on opposite sides of the vessel and a water-tight releasable connection between said open end-of the tube and'said pocket, a dooron said'tube providing entry for said object into the cradle portion of the plunger, said door being adapted for water-tight closing'in order-to-preventwater fromsaid. cradle portion toline for redepositing the buoy in said pocket, said;

object having .double walls filled with compressed air, therear end of said object being tapered to fit". the correspondingly shaped rear end of said plunger, 2, control cable attached with one end, to thetapered; rear end of said. object and: housed centrally in; the rear end of said plunger, a reel on. said; base adaptedfor unwinding and winding of said controlling cable upon the running out with.

said: object-whenvthe'plunger is projected through said: outlet, and said, reel being also adapted for winding up the controlcable when said plunger is retracted.- I

J OSEPH ROBER'I HARTNETT. 

